Yes, All Means All, Except For Poem by David Byer

All.
Each.
The second creates the first.
Otherwise, All ain't really all.
Teach each as they are, not all as we imagine.


'But we have to have expectations.'
Yes, realistic expectations.
Each will grow (period) .
That's our only guaranteed goal for all.


'But the standard...'
The one we've never fully reached?
Standards are to guide, not limit, instruction.
To stretch all kids to their potential,
Not to break them when they struggle.

"Yes, All means All, except for…"
These truths are self evident that "all men are created equal"
It's not really all if the "except for's" are excluded.
We need to throw down ropes not bricks
As they climb the slippery slope.

For when any Each of the All
Fall on the threshold of their Great Opportunity,
We've cheated on their final measure
Of success not for just them,
But ourselves as well.